Meaning
Expresses extreme tiredness or fatigue.
Cultural Background
The 'Feierabend' is a cultural institution. Admitting exhaustion is a socially acceptable way to protect this time. In Austria, you might hear 'i bin fertig' or 'i bin k.o.' more often in casual settings, but 'erschöpft' remains the standard for deep fatigue. Swiss German speakers might use 'püttlet' or 'kaputt', but in High German contexts, 'erschöpft' is used for serious exhaustion. Burnout (Erschöpfungssyndrom) is a recognized medical condition. Being 'erschöpft' is taken seriously by HR departments.
Use 'völlig' for variety
While 'total' is common, 'völlig erschöpft' sounds slightly more sophisticated and is very common in written German.
Don't say 'Ich habe Erschöpfung'
Always use 'Ich bin erschöpft'. 'Erschöpfung' is a noun used mostly in medical or formal contexts.
Meaning
Expresses extreme tiredness or fatigue.
Use 'völlig' for variety
While 'total' is common, 'völlig erschöpft' sounds slightly more sophisticated and is very common in written German.
Don't say 'Ich habe Erschöpfung'
Always use 'Ich bin erschöpft'. 'Erschöpfung' is a noun used mostly in medical or formal contexts.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the sentence.
Nach der 10-stündigen Wanderung war ich ______ erschöpft.
'Total' is the most common intensifier used with 'erschöpft' in this context, though 'völlig' is also correct.
Which sentence is the most natural for a very tired person?
A: Ich habe erschöpft. B: Ich bin total erschöpft. C: Ich bin erschreckt.
B uses the correct auxiliary verb 'bin' and the correct adjective 'erschöpft'.
Match the feeling to the situation.
Situation: You just finished a 12-hour night shift at the hospital.
A 12-hour night shift causes deep exhaustion, not just slight tiredness.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Levels of Tiredness in German
Practice Bank
3 exercisesNach der 10-stündigen Wanderung war ich ______ erschöpft.
'Total' is the most common intensifier used with 'erschöpft' in this context, though 'völlig' is also correct.
A: Ich habe erschöpft. B: Ich bin total erschöpft. C: Ich bin erschreckt.
B uses the correct auxiliary verb 'bin' and the correct adjective 'erschöpft'.
Situation: You just finished a 12-hour night shift at the hospital.
A 12-hour night shift causes deep exhaustion, not just slight tiredness.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is perfectly acceptable to tell a colleague you are 'total erschöpft' after a hard task.
'Müde' is wanting to sleep; 'erschöpft' is having no energy left in your body or mind.
Usually, we say 'Die {die|f} Batterie ist leer'. 'Erschöpft' is mostly for people or resources like water/money.
You could say: 'Ich leide unter einer gewissen Erschöpfung.'
They are similar in strength, but 'kaputt' is more informal and 'erschöpft' is more descriptive.
Yes, this is a very common way to say you are mentally drained.
No, you can just say 'Ich bin erschöpft', but 'total' adds emphasis.
Both are used, but 'von' is more common for activities (von der Arbeit).
Yes, 'eine erschöpfte {die|f} Landschaft' implies the land has been over-farmed.
No, it is a standard German adjective.
Related Phrases
fix und fertig
synonymcompletely done / exhausted
ausgelaugt
similarleached out / drained
müde
similartired
erholt
contrastrecovered / refreshed
